Ingestible canker sore treatment

ABSTRACT

A treatment and prevention formulation for canker sores of the oral cavity including an aqueous alkaline solution having at least three B vitamins, zinc and iron mixed therein and administered to a target area by a spray container. The vitamins are B 6 , B 9  and B 12 , but may include other vitamins as well. The formulation is all-natural, non-toxic and completely ingestible, so it may be used almost anywhere and at almost any time and can be swallowed after use.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to canker sore treatment. Morespecifically, the invention relates to an ingestible canker soretreatment. Even more specifically, the invention relates to aningestible spray for canker sore treatment.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

A canker sore (medically known as a “aphthous ulcer”) is an ulcerationof the inner mucosal membrane of the mouth, with occasional occurrenceon the tongue and in the gum area. These ulcers cause discomfort at thevery least, and often are a source of pain for afflicted persons,especially during eating and drinking. Individual sores typically lastfor one to two weeks, but recurrences can result in much longerafflictions. A large percentage of the population (approximately20%-40%, depending on the survey) is known to have had at least onecanker sore in their life and many have frequent recurrences of thispainful medical condition.

Currently, the cause or causes of canker sores are not well-known.Accordingly, there are no medications that can permanently cure or evenprevent canker sores. Instead, there are a few commercial medicationswhich merely treat the symptoms of canker sores. Most of thesemedications, both over the counter (OTC) and prescription medicines, areaimed at reducing the pain caused by canker sores, while others claim to“promote healing” by cleansing the affected area. However, none arecapable of actually healing or even preventing the occurrence of cankersores. There is great need for a product that both inhibits thedevelopment of canker sores in all areas of the mouth, including thetongue and gums, at an early stage, and promotes healing of canker soresonce they develop.

The present composition and application methods address these and otherproblems associated with canker sores. Where others have failed toappreciate the source of the problem or have overlooked the solution,the present composition prevents and heals canker sores while providingadvantages in simplicity and effectiveness.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A composition for an ingestible canker sore treatment and a method forusing the ingestible canker sore composition are disclosed. Thecomposition and treatment methods are effective in both prevention andtreatment of canker sores within a user's oral cavity.

Generally speaking, the composition is comprised of all naturalingredients, including at least three different B vitamins, zinc, andiron combined in an alkaline solution.

In a particular embodiment of the composition, three of the different Bvitamins include B₆, B₉ and B₁₀ vitamins. However, similar or additionalB vitamins may be used for other applications. Further, the zinccomponent is preferably delivered using a chemical compound composed ofa Zn (+2) cation and any suitable anion. Similarly, the iron componentis preferably delivered using a chemical compound composed of a Fe(+2/+3) cation and any suitable anion. The alkaline solution ispreferably composed of any suitable alkali metal carbonate or hydroxide.

In particular embodiments of the composition, weight percentage of thespecified components of the said solution are preferably about 3parts-per-million (ppm) of Vitamin B₆, 1 ppm of Vitamin B₉, 1 ppm ofVitamin B₁₂, 65 ppm of zinc, 56 ppm of iron, and 1200 ppm of carbonate.

Natural flavoring(s) of any suitable type may be added to thecomposition in an amount to make the treatment even more pleasant forthe user.

In a particular embodiment, the disclosed composition is provided in aspray bottle for dispersal into the user's oral cavity. Alternatively,the composition may be provided in a capped bottle as a drinkablemouthwash. Alternate delivery methods are possible.

As to a method for relieving, treating and preventing canker sores in auser's oral cavity, an ingestible medium of the composition disclosed isdelivered to a user's oral cavity where it can be effectively moved tocontact substantially the entirety of potentially afflicted areas for asuitable duration of time. Then, the ingestible treatment may be eitherdispelled from the mouth (i.e., spit out) or ingested.

In an alternate method, the ingestible medium may be directed to anaffected area only using a focused spray or the like. Again, theresidual solution can then be expectorated or ingested.

Additional aspects and advantages of the disclosed invention can best beunderstood from a review of the following detailed description of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many differentforms, there will herein be described in detail a preferred embodimentof the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure isto be considered as an exemplification of the principles of theinvention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the inventionto any specific embodiments.

Although the exact cause or causes for canker sores are not well-known,a large population has suffered from this potentially painful condition.The flair up of a canker sore can make it painful for a person to speak,drink, swallow or eat, depending the location and size of the cankersores. For many individuals, repeat occurrences are frequent andunpredictable.

Various likely causes of canker sores have been proposed. A comparisonof the more popular proposed causes points to a few commonly observedfactors. One likely factor is a deficiency in the intake of vitamins,including B₆, B₉ and B₁₂, and minerals, including zinc and iron. Anothermajor factor that has been frequently cited as a cause of canker soresis stress. Still another cited factor for canker sore formation istrauma to the mouth, such as an accidental bite of the soft cheek tissueor the tongue. It is also believed that acidity can exacerbate thesores, which is why many medical professionals suggest canker soresufferers avoid highly acidic food and drinks. While none of thesefactors alone may cause canker sores, the more factors present increasesthe likelihood of canker sore formation.

The present formulation is directed to an ingestible mouth spray thataims at inhibiting the development of canker sores at an early stage andat healing existing canker sores should they develop. The preferredcomposition is constituted of all natural chemical ingredients and istotally non-toxic.

Generally speaking, the formulation includes the use of an alkalinesolution as an effective treatment of canker sores. The preferredformula also contains at least three B vitamins, zinc and iron, asdeficiencies in these vitamins and minerals are commonly-known hostingfactors of canker sores. Most preferably, the B vitamins include vitaminB₆, B₉, and B₁₂, but may include additional B vitamins.

A preferred embodiment of the formula contains the following chemicalingredients and measures (in parts-per-million (ppm)) in an aqueoussolution:

-   -   1. an alkali metal carbonate: 1200 ppm [—CO₃ ⁽²⁻⁾]    -   2. Vitamin B₆: 3.0 ppm    -   3. Vitamin B₉: 1.0 ppm    -   4. Vitamin B₁₂: 1.0 ppm    -   5. Zinc (II) Salt: 65 ppm in Zinc(II)    -   6. Fe (II and/or III) Salt: 56 ppm in Fe(II and/or III)    -   7. a natural flavoring chemical (such as grape): very minute        amount, as needed

Preferably, the alkali metal is sodium (Na⁺), but may also be potassium(K^(+), lithium (Li) ⁺), or cesium (Cs⁺). Further, the formula can bemodified and the following ranges for the chemical ingredients arepossible for alternate embodiments in an aqueous solution:

1. an alkali metal carbonate: 12 to 12000 ppm [—CO₃ ⁽²⁻⁾]

-   -   2. an alkali metal hydroxide: 17 to 17000 ppm [OH^(−])    -   3. Vitamin B₆: 0.0 to 5.0 ppm    -   4. Vitamin B₉: 0.0 to 5.0 ppm    -   5. Vitamin B₁₂: 0.0 to 5.0 ppm    -   6. Other B vitamins: 0.0 to 5.0 ppm    -   7. Zinc (II) Salt: 0 to 100 ppm in Zinc(II)    -   8. Fe (II and/or III) Salt: 0 to 80 ppm in Fe(II and/or III)    -   9. natural flavoring chemical: 0.0 to as needed

Due to the non-toxicity of the composition, it can be applied to andheld in the mouth as often and as long as the user prefers. This in turnallows longer contact between the mucosal membrane of the user's mouthand the composition. A user could allow an optimal time for an effectivechemical reaction between the ingredients and the tissue, including anycanker sores. Afterward, the composition can be swallowed. This providesa significant advantage over non-ingestible treatments, such asmouthwashes—i.e., it is not necessary to spit it out. The fact that thisproduct is ingestible greatly enhances the timing that this product canbe conveniently used or applied—the user can carry the product inhis/her handbag or briefcase and use it almost anytime and almostanywhere. No longer does treatment require a bathroom sink or the like.The product can be administered at the user's home while watching TV, atthe user's office desk, in the airport without toting bags to therestroom, at the bus stop and on the bus, in a restaurant, and in analmost infinite number of other locations where it would be otherwise beinappropriate to dispel a mouthwash. More frequent and longerapplications of the treatment leads to more effective prevention andtreatment of canker sores.

Further, the chemical composition results in a product which is neutralin both taste and smell. As such, the use of the composition, even inintimate social gatherings, is not offensive to others and significantlyreduces the occasions for missing a treatment.

In a preferred formulation, vitamin B₆ (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, orpyridoxamine, or pyridoxine hydrochloride), B₉ (folic acid), B₁₂(various cobalamins; commonly cyanocobalamin in vitamin supplements),zinc and iron have been added to the alkaline solution to improve theintake of these components and reduce the cause of canker sores due tothe deficiencies in these components. Other B vitamins, such as B₁(thiamine), B₂ (riboflavin), B₃ (niacin or niacinamide), B₅ (pantothenicacid) and B₇ (biotin; vitamin H) may be substituted or added to otherformulations, if desired.

The inclusion of zinc in a preferred formulation is due to the factthat, in scientific literature, zinc has also been shown to beanti-ulceration and thus, will further help to reduce the likelihood offorming canker sores (ulceration of the mucous of the mouth).

Mental stress is believed to be a major and probably the most frequentcontributing factor for the occurrence of canker sores. As much asstress is a psychological condition, it is however extremely import torealize that, this psychological condition does produce physiologicalchanges. In 2012, Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, USA,released a report that correlates stress and tissue inflammations. Thisstrongly supports the long clinical observation that stress results intissue inflammation. Inflammation biochemically results in acidosis ofthe body's tissues. There have been many studies which support the factthat under stress, many tissues/organs are more acidic than those of acontrol group. The ulcerations of the tissues come as a result of theprolonged stress and prolonged acidosis of the tissues, such as themucous membranes of the mouth.

Trauma to the mouth, such as an accidental bite of the soft cheek or thetongue is believed to be another factor for the occurrence of cankersores. An unhealed injury to any tissues are known to incite theinflammation reactions from the body. Thus, just like mental stress,trauma to the mouth also results in the inflammations and acidosis ofthe injured tissues in the mouth, resulting in the formation of cankersores.

Many medical professionals suggest canker sore sufferers avoid highlyacidic food and drinks. This clinical advice correlates well with thefact that canker sores, irrespective of the causes, are in principleresults of the inflammation and the ensuing acidosis of the mucoustissues and extracellular acidity from the drinks or foods will onlyexacerbate the inflammation.

The disclosed formulation, therefore, directs to reverse theacidosis—and the possible ensuing ulcerations—of the mucous membranes ofthe mouth during early phases in the development of canker sores. Suchtreatment, as described, will result in prevention of and quickerhealing of canker sores.

The preferred formulation is considered stable (for shelf-lifeconsideration) and is a clear, non-toxic, all-natural, ingestiblealkaline solution. It also has a pleasant taste, especially when aflavoring is included, and has no offensive odor to others. The presentembodiment can thus be applied in any work or social occasion withoutmissing a dose.

The matter set forth in the foregoing description is offered by way ofillustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodimentshave been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat changes and modifications may be made without departing from thebroader aspects of applicants' contribution. The actual scope of theprotection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims whenviewed in their proper perspective based on relevant prior art.

What is claim is:
 1. An ingestible formulation for the treatment andprevention of canker sores, the formula consisting essentially of: atleast three B vitamins; zinc; iron; and an alkaline solution, whereinthe B vitamins, zinc and iron are mixed in the solution.
 2. Theingestible formulation of claim 1, wherein the at least three B vitaminscomprise vitamin B₆, vitamin B₉ and vitamin B₁₂.
 3. The ingestibleformulation of claim 1, wherein zinc is provided by a chemical compoundcomposed of Zn⁽²⁺⁾ and a suitable anion.
 4. The ingestible formulationof claim 1, wherein the iron is provided by a chemical compound composedof at least one of either Fe^((2+) and Fe) ⁽³⁺⁾ and a suitable anion. 5.The ingestible formulation of claim 1, wherein the alkaline solutioncomprises a suitable alkali metal hydroxide in an amount in the range of200 to 500 ppm.
 6. The ingestible formulation of claim 1, wherein thealkaline solution comprises a suitable alkali metal carbonate.
 7. Theingestible formulation of claim 5, wherein the alkali metal hydroxide issodium hydroxide.
 8. The ingestible formulation of claim 6, wherein thealkali metal carbonate is sodium carbonate.
 9. The ingestibleformulation of claim 6, wherein the amount of each component is withinthe following ranges: alkali metal carbonate: 800 to 1500 ppm; vitaminB₆: 0.0 to 5.0 ppm; vitamin B₉: 0.0 to 5.0 ppm; vitamin B₁₂: 0.0 to 5.0ppm; zinc as zinc (II): 0 to 100 ppm; and iron as at least one of eitherFe (II) and Fe (III): 0 to 80 ppm.
 10. The ingestible formulation ofclaim 9, further comprising additional B vitamins in the range of fromabout 0.1 ppm to about 5.0 ppm.
 11. The ingestible formulation of claim9, further comprising a natural flavoring chemical.
 12. A combinationall-natural chemical treatment and applicator for preventing andtreating canker sores in the oral cavity of a user, the combinationcomprising: a spray container capable of dispensing a measured amount ofsolution; an aqueous alkaline solution stored within the spraycontainer, the solution comprising: at least three B vitamins; zinc; andiron.
 13. The combination of claim 12, wherein the at least three Bvitamins comprise vitamin B₆, vitamin B₉ and vitamin B₁₂.
 14. Thecombination of claim 12, wherein zinc is provided by a chemical compoundcomposed of Zn⁽²⁺⁾ and a suitable anion.
 15. The combination of claim12, wherein the iron is provided by a chemical compound composed of atleast one of either Fe⁽⁺²⁾ and Fe⁽³⁺⁾ and a suitable anion.
 16. Thecombination of claim 12, wherein the alkaline solution comprises asuitable alkali metal carbonate.
 17. The combination of claim 16,wherein the amount of each component of the solution is within thefollowing ranges: alkali metal carbonate: 800 to 1500 ppm; vitamin B₆:0.0 to 5.0 ppm; vitamin B₉: 0.0 to 5.0 ppm; vitamin B₁₂: 0.0 to 5.0 ppm;zinc as zinc (II): 0 to 100 ppm; and iron as at least one of either Fe(II) and Fe (III): 0 to 80 ppm.
 18. A method for one of either treatmentor prevention of canker sores comprising the steps of: administering toa target area an aqueous solution having the following composition: atleast three B vitamins; zinc; iron; and water; allowing the aqueoussolution to maintain contact with the target area for a period of time;and removing the aqueous solution from the target area after the periodof time.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of removingcomprises the step of swallowing the aqueous solution.
 20. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the at least three B vitamins comprise vitamin B₆,vitamin B₉ and vitamin B₁₂.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein zinc isprovided by a chemical compound composed of Zn⁽²⁺⁾ and a suitable anion.22. The method of claim 21, wherein the iron is provided by a chemicalcompound composed of at least one of either Fe⁽⁺²⁾ and Fe⁽³⁺⁾ and asuitable anion.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the alkalinesolution comprises a suitable alkali metal carbonate.
 24. The method ofclaim 23, wherein the amount of each component of the aqueous solutionis within the following ranges: alkali metal carbonate: 800 to 1500 ppm;vitamin B₆: 0.0 to 5.0 ppm; vitamin B₉: 0.0 to 5.0 ppm; vitamin B₁₂: 0.0to 5.0 ppm; zinc as zinc (II): 0 to 100 ppm; and iron as Fe (II and/orIII): 0 to 80 ppm.
 25. The method of claim 18, wherein the step ofadministering comprising the step of spraying the aqueous solution onthe target area.